YORK, PA – With the preseason practice season starting in 10 days, the York College athletic department has announced that head coach Tim Bonitz has resigned his position effectively immediately. Bonitz has resigned to pursue another professional opportunity.

Spartan Assistant Dean for Athletics and Recreation Paul Saikia has named assistant coach Dan Mickle the program's interim head coach for the 2017 campaign.

Bonitz led the program for the last two years after taking over for long-time head coach Sue DuMars. Bonitz recorded 13 wins in his first year at the helm of the program in 2015. The Spartans then exploded for 21 wins in 2016 as the Green and White posted their most wins since the 2010 season (27-6).

Bonitz spent a total of four seasons on the Spartan bench.

Mickle takes the reigns of the program in his fifth year as a member of the Spartan program. Mickle he has spent the last 14 years with Red Land volleyball. His coaching experience also includes five years with the Harrisburg Area Community College men's volleyball team, two years as coach and club director for Yorktowne Volleyball Club, 10 years with Soul Volleyball Club, three years coaching at the West Shore YMCA and six years coaching for the Keystone State Games.

He was a four-time Mid-Penn Coach of the Year at Red Land. In 2000, Mickle was a USAV Open Beach National Champion. He was also a USAV Robert Lindsay Award Recipient in 2008 and a gold medalist at the State games of America in 2009.

Mickle is currently a National Coaching Education Cadre member for both indoor and beach volleyball as well as a former head coach for USA Volleyball beach high performance.

"Obviously, you don't want to have a vacancy this close to the start of the season," says Saikia. "However, having someone of Dan's experience and background on your staff as an assistant coach makes it an easier transition. We have high expectations for our team this year and Dan gives us the best chance for success in 2017."

The Spartans begin preseason practice on Friday, August 18. The team opens the regular season at the 15th Annual Greyhound Premiere Invitational hosted by Moravian College in Bethlehem on Friday, September 1.